The Guilfordian

Issue date: 4/8/05 Section: World

Media Credit: www.iran-daily.com Pope John Paul II died on April 2

The Vatican has a sede vacante with the death of Pope John Paul II. In addition to suffering from crippling hip and knee ailments and heart and kidney failure, the pope combated health complications from Parkinson's disease since 1996. He died of blood poisoning and the collapse of his blood vessels on April 2, at the age of 84.

Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain that affect the loss of muscle control.

The pope led the world's 1 billion Catholics for 26 years after being elected in 1978. The first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI in 1523, John Paul II began his papacy in a flurry of controversy that grew steadily to admiration.

Although liberal Catholic commentators criticized his conservative views on women, homosexuals and contraception, it is thought that he will go down as "John Paul the Great," as the Archbishop of Accra, Charles Palmer-Buckle, once said to Reuters.

"As a woman and medieval scholar, I continue to disagree with many of Pope John Paul II's interpretations of Christianity and the direction he steered the church during his tenure," said Catholic assistant professor of English Heather Hayton.

"Nonetheless, I am grateful for the role he played in affecting peaceful change in our world and am saddened by his passing."

In addition to normal pontiff proceedings, Pope John Paul II was known for his human rights campaign in an age of controversy. According to cnn.com, he is credited for the collapse of communist rule and praised for his compassion regarding the AIDS epidemic and his ability to further bridge the 2000-year gap between Jews and Christians.

Also, a 2000 visit to the Holy Land to encourage reconciliation between Palestine and Israel marked the first papal trip there in history.

"His stamina in continuing his ministry and travel (ultimately to over 120 countries), despite increasing disease, was inspirational to those who believed in the sanctity of life," said Kent Chabotar, practicing Catholic and college president and professor of political science. "He is clearly among the most influential and charismatic figures of the twentieth century."

Chabotar's words mirror the world opinion of the influence John Paul II had with Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

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